We Gather to Receive His Gifts of Grace

God has promised to give generously of His mercy and His Holy Spirit through His Word and Sacraments. We gather as a community to receive God’s gifts because apart from His gifts we have nothing of value.

We receive wisdom and knowledge, strength and peace as we receive the Word of God in our Sunday gatherings.
Just as Jesus, the Son of God, came into the world in a very common way, raised by ordinary people in a small town, working in a common trade, Jesus continues to come to us through ordinary means--the water of Baptism and the bread and wine of the Lord’s supper. Just as Jesus brought healing and life through His Words and ministry, He brings salvation, restoration, and rejuvenation through the gifts of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

When the people asked Peter what they should do to be saved, he responded:

“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is for you and your children” (Acts 2:39).

When Jesus gave the disciples the Passover meal, he said for them to gather and receive this meal often for, through His body and blood, they would receive the forgiveness of sins and grow in fellowship with one another (Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 10 & 11).

God is generous with His gifts of grace. We are confident that we receive them because their reception is not dependent on us. We receive God’s grace even when we feel unworthy or our hearts are distracted, or we doubt. We receive God’s grace because He is the one who does the work